Actual rating: somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars.

I’ve read most of Kate White’s recent thrillers, and they all usually fall into the same kind of vibe for me in that they start of strong and with a good premise, but something about the execution of it usually leaves me wanting something more. I will say, this one was more of a page-turner than some of her others for me and read really quick.

The mystery involved in this book did keep my guessing throughout the book. It held my interest as I tried to figure out where it was going to go. There was a lot of misdirection and gaslighting to make me second guess theories I was coming up with. Not one character, aside from Kiki, seemed to be on the up-and-up. Which I think also led to some of my ultimate issues with the way it all played out. By the end, I didn’t feel like I was sold on the answers because the answers didn’t feel solid. It felt like Kiki came up with an answer and we were just told it was correct, we never saw it actually get a full reveal. Even now as I sit here writing my review, I’m still wondering if it was actually someone else. I also wonder if there were more people involved and/or who knew the answers. Something about it just didn’t feel fully resolved for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story follows Kikki who attends a party where her ex fiance is at and later that evening he is found dead. Kikki cannot fathom the idea that her ex fiance Jamie could have committed suicide so she starts an investigation. As the investigation goes on tungsten just aren't adding up. I felt like the book was ok. Had a hard time staying invested in the story.

3.5 stars // this book grabbed me from the first page and I kept trying to figure out “who killed Jamie?” Kiki does not believe that Jamie could have died by suicide knowing he had lots of plans and trips coming up. He was even about to adopt a dog! But since she broke off their engagement, their circle of friends didn’t seem to take her suspicions seriously. There were a few times when I kept thinking I knew who the murderer was but quickly would doubt that theory as the story progressed. I did find Kiki slightly annoying at times and there were times when parts of the story didn’t seem to make sense on why it was a topic in the story such as Kiki having been assaulted at a previous job. I also suspected Sam (one of Jamie’s close friends) because he seemed to always have theories for Kiki and it made me think he was trying to focus her attention somewhere else. I also felt the ending kind of wrapped up quickly regarding WHO and WHY they killed Jamie AND a past local girl who was murdered at a fair.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the opportunity to read and review!

This book just didn’t hold my attention like most thrillers do. I found myself skimming the chapters and wanting to get through it. It was a good plot, but just was not for me.

Kate White has been one of my go-to authors since she left Cosmo - all of reads are satisfying thrillers with plot twists that just keep coming.

Kate White is one of my favorite authors, "The last time she saw him" will definitely need to be put on your bucket list of books to read very soon. Every character is described so vividly, and the plot will keep you guessing until the very end. This book was very hard to put down.

I found this to be a relatively boring whodunit. 40% of the book could’ve been omitted and not affect the plot at all. I liked it at first, but it just dragged. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the advanced copy. Publication date May 14, 2024.

The plot was slightly confusing. Important Characters seemed to appear out of nowhere. I enjoyed it, but it isn’t a favorite.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Kiki Reed attended a book party for a friend's husband when she runs into her ex-fiancé, Jamie. They didn't end on good terms and this is not a pleasant encounter. Jamie leaves the party to be later found shot in his car. They rule is a suicide... but is it?! I just couldn't connect to Kiki's character and found it a little blah.

Did I cause Jamie's death?

Was he that distraught after we broke up that he killed himself after seeing me at the party?

He didn't seem upset, and we had a brief, cordial chat.

A few minutes after Jamie left the party, a gunshot is heard, and then a blaring horn.

What could that be? What Kiki and her friends find is Jamie in his car and shot in the head.

Kiki of course blames herself but doesn't agree that it was a suicide.

She takes on an investigation of her own where she finds odd things happening and finds out things that the police won't believe when she tells them.

THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM was told by Kiki and was a bit slow, but a good mystery with a few surprises. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the single POV (almost) with minor flashbacks (almost none) which made for a smooth ride. Sometimes multiple POVs and flashbacks are wonderful, but my fave type of story has a single perspective and I travel alongside that person and experience things as they do, unravelling things at the same time (often ahead of them - haha).

This was a NetGalley ARC and I chose it because I love Kate White's books.

I hate spoilers so all I will say is that the protagonist is experiencing many layers of events, dealing with friendships, romance, career, murder. How do they coincide, connect, etc? Very suspenseful.

The ending was a bit anti-climatic and abrupt. But I still liked it. I kept wanting to read it in every spare moment.

I feel like this book had a lot of potential, but it did not hit home for me. The plot was entertaining but it felt like it was a bit all over the place at times. The main character felt relatable for the first few chapters, but her impulsivity and consistent tendency to jump to conclusions made it hard for me to be in her corner. I'm glad that the book was able to wrap up loose ends in the final chapters while still leaving a door open for a sequel, but I don't know that I would read the next. I did enjoy the overall writing style of the author and would be open to reading a different one of her books!

I normally love Kate White books but this one seemed to drag a bit. It was slow and I didn’t find myself invested in figuring out the whodunnit. I appreciate the opportunity for an ARC and will be purchasing this title for our library when it comes out

I am a fan of Kate White books but this one fell flat for me. I am 52% in and don't even care if I find out who committed the murder. I, like other reviewers, think this one just drags, basically from page 1 and I also caught the Liam/Eric mistake near the middle of the book. THank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, but I am moving on to something else.

I’m not sure about this one. I usually love Kate White books but this one seemed to drag a bit for me. It was a bit slow and I didn’t find myself invested in figuring out who did it and why.

I have read all of this author’s books and you can always count on her for a solid, twisty mystery with some pulse pounding!
This is about a woman whose ex-boyfriend kills himself at a party they both attend. The problem is, she refuses to believe it was suicide. She begins digging into his recent past and before long, strange things begin happening.
Perfect for reading by the pool!

"The Last Time She Saw Him" fell short for me. I felt the main character unbearable. The first 20% was promising, the last 80% dragged and everything felt forced. I felt myself wanting to DNF the book, but continued and finished it anyway. I got confused with Liam/Eric? Why did he have two names? Thriller? I wouldn't say so. Suspense? Maybe. There was a sprinkle of romance towards the end, but again it felt forced, like the author just needed to add more to the novel.

It honestly wasn't the worst book I've read but it could've been better. It unfortunately didn't leave a lasting impression.

This was a very fast and catchy read. The action starts right away. After the beginning action, it started getting to be too much in the middle. There was just too much added to it. The romance didn't fit and would have preferred to just stick with the straight mystery.

This book had my heart POUNDING the entire time! It kept my attention the entire time with the wonderful writing and thrilling plot.

Not the best mystery I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t bad! I saw the ending coming and figured out the plot twist so I didn’t love it.